Common Names

Parts Usually Used

Description of Plant(s) and Culture

Yellow dock is a perennial plant; its spindle-shaped, yellow taproot
sends up a smooth, rather slender stem, 1-5 feet high. Lanceolate
to oblong-lanceolate in shape, the pointed light green leaves have
predominantly wavy margins. The lower leaves are larger and longer-petioled
than the upper. Blooming from June to July, the numerous pale green,
drooping flowers are loosely whorled in panicled racemes. The fruit
is a pointed, three-angled and heart-shaped nut.

Other varieties: Great water dock (R. aquaticus); Water dock
(R. britannica); Blunt-leaved dock (R. abtusifolius). They all have
similar medicinal qualities, but the yellow dock is the only one entitled
to extensive consideration.

Legends, Myths and Stories

Yellow dock is literally a storehouse for organic iron. A remarkable
virtue of yellow dock is that it has mild laxative properties. Inorganic
iron tends to bind and constipate but the laxative properties gives
an abundance of iron while relieving the tendency toward constipation.

Most commonly thought of as a troublesome weed, this herb has been
used medicinally since ancient times. The young leaves were much used
as a pot herb in olden times.